Horse Show Layout

This is the second layout I finished on Sunday. Sara's horse show season starts in November and I wanted to get her album up to date before the new season starts. I was able to use my Cricut Expression that goes untouched for several months. I had a little bit of a challenge getting everything I wanted on just two pages, then I remembered my friend Linda Higgins a/k/a "Queen of Cram" technique of hiding journaling or more photos under a tabbed photo. I think it turned out okay. What do you think?

Accessories: Cricut cartridge Plantin Schoolbook

Be Blessed,

Shannon Willis

www.shannonscropstop.stampinup.net

Why Do You Scrap?

It is so nice to have some time to myself and scrap. The other day I was talking to some of my friends and someone asked me why I liked to scrapbook so much. My other friends all said something like I don't have the time, not creative, etc. My response was "I'm addicted to it." Later that evening it came to me the reason I love scrapbooking so much. As most of you know, I have two teenage children. I started scrapbooking when they were toddlers. The reason I scrap is because ...

1. I want them to know I love them.

2. I want them to know I am so proud of their accomplishments and see them through my eyes.

3. I want them to know that with every milestone in their lives, I was there for them.

4. I want them to remember our loved ones as several of our beloved family members have made their journey to heaven. I want them to have fond memories of our family even though they may not have had time to create memories with family members themselves.

5. I want them to know how blessed and thankful I am that God trusted me as their mother to raise and nurture them as my very own.

I know there are several other reasons, but these 5 reasons really stuck with me that night. I know I don't always have time to scrapbook, but I really try hard to put aside just a few minutes here and there. I hope one day my kids will enjoy sharing my albums with their children.

I spent most of today in my scrapbook room. My husband Kevin and his brother played golf so I locked myself in my room and worked. I decided to scrap Sara's horse show photos from last season. I only had two shows to complete, but I felt like I was running out of time as the new show season starts in November. At least I can say I am caught up with her show album. Unfortunately I can't say that about their other albums :(

While I was looking through photos, I ran across this first day of school photo. I couldn't help to laugh at the pure JOY on their faces. This photo is next on my scrapping list. I hope you enjoy.

Accessories: Cricut Cartridges = Graphically Speaking and San Serif

Be Blessed,

Shannon Willis

www.shannonscropstop.stampinup.net

Oh, I Gotta Have It!!!

Have you had a chance to view the new Holiday Mini Yet??? If not, you can view it HERE. There are soooo many items in there that I want. I am going to have to go on a "holiday diet." At first when I saw the new Letter Presses, I thought to myself, I don't really need those. Like how I use the word need? After seeing this video, I GOTTA HAVE IT!!!! I can literally visualize awesome scrapbook pages, mats for photos, etc. The ideas are endless!!!

Contact me today to order your all your stamping "NEEDS."

Be Blessed,

Shannon

www.shannonscropstop.stampinup.net

Blog Candy Winners!!

That's right, winners!!! Since there were only two who commented, I decided that I would send a little "something" to both participants. Thank you Katherine and Lisa for participating. I will be sending out your blog candy today. This photo is from my August 2010 class. The projects were a big hit and I decided to send both Katherine and Lisa a note pad and matching pen. I love having something handy to write on close to my phone and I also love that I can customize the note pads by stamping my favorite set on them, whether it be holiday, florals, etc.

Thanks again ladies for participating.

Be Blessed,

Shannon Willis

www.shannonscropstop.stampinup.net

Cards for Troops

Whoops, I forgot to attach this card in my previous post. This is another sample of one of our cards for troops.

Cards for Troops Ideas

Since I have two nephews in the service, my niece-in-law is getting together packages to send overseas. A group of my stamping friends and I are getting together once a month to make cards for the troops. We spend a couple of hours on a Saturday morning, enjoy breakfast together and then dive into card making. The time together is wonderful and just what I need after a long work week. Spending time with my crafting friends is like therapy to me. We have a great time getting together as everyone brings some creative idea or technique to share with the group. It is also helping me use up some of my retired products. Here is a sample of one of the cards we made.

This is one of my favorites and it is sooooo simple to make. The Elegant Bouquet is one of my favorite embossing folders and it makes a beautiful card with very little effort.

Stamps: Well Scripted

Ink: Pixie Pink (retired)

Paper: Whisper White and Pixie Pink (retired)

Accessories: Elegant Bouquet embossing folder and ribbon

Be Blessed,

Shannon Willis

http://www.shannonscropstop.stampinup.net/

Sherrill Graff's Late Night Stampers Scavenger Hunt and Blog Candy

Hi Stampers,

Thanks so much for visiting my blog today and for playing Sherrill Graff's Late Night Stampers Scavenger Hunt game. To make this game EVEN MORE FUN, leave a comment on this blog post along with your name and email address and I will send you something special. I wish you all the best of luck!!!

My clue is: Come to Bethlehem page 43.

Collect all 20 clues and turn your answers in to Sherrill Graff at istmpnv@aol.com. She will pick the winner to our $400.00 Stampin' Up! shopping spree soon, so hurry and enter today!!!

Be Blessed,

Shannon Willis

http://www.shannonscropstop.stampinup.net/

Christmas in September ??

During my glorious scrapbook weekend, I decided to scrap a Christmas layout. I was hoping it would get me in the holiday spirit since they are right around the corner. If it weren't for this heat, I would be there. In this layout, I used some of the new DSP from the Holiday Mini and the new jumbo wheel Jolly Jingles. The new Holiday Mini is packed full of wonderful project ideas and the new products are absolutely fabulous. I had to put myself on a holiday diet if you know what I mean. Call or email me to place your order.

Stamps: Jolly Jingle jumbo wheel, Delightful Decorations

Ink: Cherry Cobbler

Paper: Baja Breeze, Garden Green, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White and Candy Cane Christmas DSP (LOVE IT!!)

Accessories: Ornament Extra Large Punch, Ticket Corner, and wire

Be Blessed,

Shannon Willis

www.shannonscropstop.stampinup.net

Some Cards

Last weekend I was so happy that I spent pretty much all weekend in my scrap room. That doesn't happen very often as there are so many things that need my attention. It was so nice to just play with my stamps and paper and not have anything to prepare for.

I love the elegance of Black and White. I got out one of my favorite stamp sets, Baroque Motifs and used it to create this card I had seen on MoJo Monday Sketch challenge. It was really simple and took only a few minutes to make.

If you would like to order the products used to make this project, you can do so by clicking HERE.

Stamps: Baroque Motifs

Ink: Classic Black

Paper: Whisper White and Basic Black

Accessories: Black polka dot ribbon, 1 3/8" Square Punch, Modern Label Punch and embossing folder

Be Blessed,

Shannon Willis

www.shannonscropstop.stampinup.net